NMBTAG

The non-motorized Boater Technical Assistance Group (TAG) is a group that meets quarterly to discuss non-motorized watercraft issues. This was group was formed by FWC by invitation after the FWC Listening Sessions. The lead agency if the FWC Recreation Services.

At the first meeting, in a facilitated exercise, the following issues were decide upon as the group's major focus;

Issues in the following areas were mentioned once:ScienceRowing IssuesPolitics & representationPersonal Responsibility

The group was told this was not to be a group working on registration, registration was set aside at this point.

The TAG group then engaged in a discussion to break down each issue and explore its elements

Access Issue• Need more access • How they are designed is important• Less is more - unimproved is best• Need template for launches / Best practices for design• Distance from access point and parking area is an issue• Different access needs based on function, example between kayaks & rowing (which need floating docks & boat houses)• Access informationo Ownershipo Who controls the access point? o Closure, hours available, etc. needs to be easily available• Parking conflicts• Maintenance Requirements• Bathrooms

Safety• Recognize that US Coast Guard has role in PFD and light usage rules• Education• Need simple check card with info on what is legally required • Increase visibility for inland safety • Use venues of opportunity for public outreach (NMB shows/events for example)

Education• Motor boat wake courtesy • Need incentiveso possibly consider incentives for completing an education course (like a discount on insurance as is done in coverage for automobiles) • Look at other modes (i.e. bicycles) how do they do it?o Look at parallels between water issues and pedestrian issues (cars vs. bikes / pedestrians). This may model how we should approach our issue.• Determine what is effective• Consider language barrier (especially for tour guides)• Multicultural / multilingual / use of pictorial images• Understanding each other - NMBs and MBs - is key• Signage at access points• Outreach - how to get the information out there effectively• FWC Boater Safety Training publication (include NMB info there)